The New York Knicks have been phased with a huge decision this offseason, whether to keep Carmelo Anthony, trade him, or buy him out. The rumor that has been floating around lately is the Knicks eventually buying him out, allowing him to join whichever team he likes. After all, he has a no-trade clause in his contract, which could prevent the Knicks from trading him.
Anthony would only accept buyout if…
However, Anthony would only accept a buyout under one condition – if he is able to sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“He’s made it very, very clear that the one team he would accept a buyout for is Cleveland,” Stephen A.
Smith said on ESPN radio on Thursday.
The Houston Rockets have been another team rumored to land Anthony after they acquired Chris Paul in a blockbuster deal, but it’s being reported that the Rockets can only land Anthony via trade. The Cavaliers, however, are far more intriguing for Anthony, who would join LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, and Kevin Love.
Anthony’s preference has been to team up with fellow friend and Olympic teammate James, as the two entered the league in the same year and had been determined to join forces together somewhere along the line.
After averaging 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, former Knicks president Phil Jackson told the media that the 33-year-old Anthony would be better off elsewhere.
However, the Knicks most recently fired Jackson after he wanted to trade prized-possession Kristaps Porzingis. Even with Jackson gone, New York remains interested in parting ways with Anthony.
How would the Cavaliers be able to attain him?
The Cavaliers may still need to clear cap space to acquire Anthony, but fortunately, they wouldn’t necessarily have to trade Kevin Love.
Instead, the Cavaliers could salary dump some of their other veterans, which would create adequate cap space to consume Anthony after a buyout.
How would Carmelo Anthony fit in Cleveland?
The other question is if Anthony would be the right fit in Cleveland. As talented he is offensive, Anthony may actually be a horrible fit for the Cavaliers.
Talent-wise, Cleveland would look good on paper, but the chemistry may be destroyed with Anthony in the lineup.
The 10-time All-Star is most comfortable when he isolates and dominates the ball. However, in Cleveland, he would have to sacrifice a lot to fit in alongside James, who is the primary ball handler for the team. That means Anthony would have to learn to become a spot up shooter, nothing more. Sadly, Anthony may not be able to change up his game to become a spot up shooter only.
The 10-time All-Star is most comfortable when he isolates and dominates the ball. However, in Cleveland, he would have to sacrifice a lot to fit in alongside James, who is the primary ball handler for the team. That means Anthony would have to learn to become a spot up shooter, nothing more. Sadly, Anthony may not be able to change up his game to become a spot up shooter only.
